Escalating Tensions: Iranian Missile Hits Major Israeli Hospital

An Iranian missile has struck the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel, leading to significant destruction and prompting emergency responses. Fortunately, injuries among those inside were minimal. Iranian officials claimed the target was military in nature, but no evidence has been presented.

In a grave escalation of conflict, an Iranian missile struck the Soroka Medical Center, a prominent hospital complex located in Beersheba, Israel, on Thursday. The attack resulted in extensive damage, with debris and shattered glass littering the vicinity, as well as a foul odor permeating the area from melted plastic and burnt wiring.

Dr. Vadim Bankovich, head of the hospital's Orthopedics Department, described the moment of impact: “There was a massive boom and blast wave,” recalling the chaos that unfolded. Following the strike, firefighters managed to control the ensuing blaze, while rescue teams sifted through the wreckage to secure the site. Hospital officials reported that although the missile struck a portion of the facility, all patients and medical staff were situated in protected areas and only a few minor injuries were noted.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for the strike, asserting they were targeting Israeli military installations adjacent to the hospital. However, this assertion was met with skepticism as no supporting evidence was disclosed, and Israel's military has not provided an immediate response to the claims made by Iranian sources.

As a precaution, Dr. Bankovich and his team had received alerts on their phones and promptly moved to a designated safe area along with their patients. Upon returning to the hospital's main section, they encountered chaos, with toppled cabinets, scattered ceiling panels, and broken medical devices—a stark contrast to the safe haven they had just vacated.